Tablet sorting device



Nov. 20, 1962 G. R. FRICKE TABLET SORTING DEVICE Filed March 28, 1960 FIG. Z

GEORGEINNCKE BY W my,

ATmRNEY United States Patent O 3,064,808 TABLET SORTING DEVICE George Richard Fricke, Colden, N.Y., assignor to Strong Cobb Arner, Inc., Buialo, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Mar. 28, 1960, Ser. No. 17,971 4 Claims. (Cl. 209-82) Y This invention relates to an apparatus and a method for separating broken tablets and capsules or pieces thereof and undersize tablets and capsules from whole similar items of variable shapes.

In the manufacture of medicinal tablets and capsules, some breakage often occurs, or some tablets or capsules of sub-standard size often become mixed with the lot of standard size items. In the case of the usual sugar-coated .i spheroid or cap-shaped tablet this condition s overcome by a separation process utilizing perforated plates for sorting the tablets. However, for example, in Ythe case of the usual cylindrical hard shelled gelatin capsules with rounded ends or the coated tablets shaped as such, it is .f

mentary and sub-standard size tablets and the like from I whole tablets.

A further object of this invention is to provide a method for sorting fragments and sub-standard size tablets or the like from whole tablets.

In carrying out the objects of the invention there is provided apparatus for separating fragments yand substandard size tablets from whole like items including a casing having a port formed therein, duct means for causing a forced air draft to be blown through the port, a tube for feeding tablets or the like into the casing one at a time, and an escapement means for halting each tablet momentarily within the casing opposite the port. There is also formulated a method for separating fragments and substandard size tablets from whole like items including the steps of moving a quantity of tablets or the like past a port, momentarily halting each one of the tablets opposite the port, and blowing a draft of forced air against each tablet and through the port, whereby a fragment or a substandard Size tablet is ejected through the port.

Further advantages and features will become apparent to one skilled in the art from the followingdetailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is an isometric view diagrammatically illustrating the arrangement of parts of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal cross sectional View of the apparatus according to FIGURE l.

It is to be understood that the embodiment illustrated is diagrammatic and is for the purpose of illustration only.

In the drawings, the apparatus comprises a casing 7 in which is formed an ejection port through the side thereof into an ejection chute `8 or the like. A gravity feed tube 3 is attached to an opening in the top of the casing 7 for feeding tablets into the casing 7 singly. A hopper 1 of any suitable size and shape is disposed above the feed tube 3. An agitator sleeve 2 forms a passage between the hopper 1 and the feed tube 3 such that the upper end of the sleeve 2 is disposed in the lower region of the hopper 1, and the lower end of the sleeve 2 encompasses the top end of the feed tube 3, as will appear.

A duct 9 is attached to au opening in the casing 7 opposite the port for supplying a draft of forced air to the casing, as will appear.

vPatented Nov. 20, 1962 ICC 12. It will become obvious that the block 12 is formed with an opening therethrough through which whole tablets drop as the escapement device is operated.Y In order to operate the gates 4 and 4a a toggle link 5 is provided, and is pivotally mounted at O on suitable pivot blocks as at 121.

Any source of power such as an electric motor 10 may be utilized for operating the gates 4 and 4a. A suitable crank or ca m 6 connected to the shaft of the motor d0 is also connected by a link to the toggle link 5 to effect the reciprocal movement of the gates 4 and 4o. A second link 14 may be connected between Ithe cam @and a lever 13, which is pivotally mounted to the pivot block 11 for operating the' agitator sleeve 2.

In describing the operation of the apparatus let it be assumed that a quantity of tablets C or thetlike are disposed in the hopper 1, and that the tablets'C may or may not contain a few fragmentary or substandard size pieces. It isgalso to be understood that the duct 9' is connected to a source of forced air draft, not shown, such as a high speed blower or the like. A storage tank of compressed air may also be used. It is further contemplated that the admission of the forcedY air 'draft through .the duct 9 may be eiected in timed blastsj or spurts coordinatedgrwith the operation of the gates 4 `and The operation of the apparatus will be described with Disposed just below the casing 7 and duct is an escapet respect to thetim'ed blasts of air. Although the timing means is notshown, any conventional means may be employed such `as a solenoid valve or a cam-operated valve in the duct 9.

The motor 10 is started, causing the cam 6 to rotate and thus operate the toggle link 5 and the lever 13. The up-and-down movement of the agitator sleeve 2 by lever 13 agitates the tablets C in the hopper 1. In this manner tablets are aligned suiciently to cause them to drop by gravity into the feed tube 3, wherein the lowermost tablet comes to rest on, for instance, gate 4a which may at that moment be in position to block the passage through the gate block `12. At that time, while gate 4a is in the in position, a blast of forced air is directed against the tablet, C1 in FIGURE 2, whereby if the tablet were actually a fragment or sub-standard size item it would be blown through the ejection port and out the ejection tube 8. It is understood that the port is of such size as to permit only-.fragments and the like to be ejected therethrough. f

As the motor 10 continues to turn the cam 6 and operate the links, the gate 4a is withdrawn from the in position in the gate block :12 and the gate 4 moves to the in position. This permits the tablet lat the position of C1 to drop tofthe position at C2, while the next tablet C then drops to the position at C1. The motor 10 continues to operate, and gate 4a now moves to the in position between the tablets at positions C1 and C2. This permits the good tablet at C2 to drop into any suitable container, while the next tablet at C1 receives a blast of forced air from the duct 9.

Let it be assumed that the tablet at position C1 is actually a fragment. The blast of air causes the 4fragment to be ejected through the port and into the ejection tube 8; and the next tablet at position C drops into place. The process then continues until all of the tablets in the hopper 1 have been sorted.

The invention also provides a new and novel method for separating fragmentary and sub-standard size tablets and the like from whole like items including the steps of; (a) passing the tablets one at a time past an ejection port, (b) directing a blast of air against each tablet as it passes the port, (c) momentarily halting each tablet adjacent the port while directing the blast of `air thereagainst, (d) permitting those tablets which were not rejected through the port to pass by the port and be collected.

Those skilled in the art will'readily realize the advantages in the present invention. A simple apparatus may be used, which presents little, if any, maintenance requirements. Ihe operation of the apparatus itself is positive and directs. Each tablet is V'urged into thedrop feed `by a gentle agitation, and then moves not by machine handling, but by its own gravity. The nature Jof the air blast against each tablet permits onlyy solid, whole tablets or the .like to pass unrejected. Any tablets which may be cracked or otherwise weakened are urged to break .up by the .air blast and thus be ejected. Only standard size tablets can pass by the ejection port. v Y

" While a modication'has. been shown and described forthe purposes of illustration, it is to be'understoodthat the invention is notto be limited-thereto, but is to beconstrued within the scopeland 'spirit ofthe appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for separating fragmentary and sub-standard size tablets from a quantity of whole like items comprising; acasing andan ejection port formed therein, a

prising; a casing and 'an ejection port formed therein, a

forced air: duct disposed entering'said casing in alignment with said port, a feed tube entering said casing for feeding tablets past said port and said duct, and an escapement device adjacent said casing; said device having formed therethrough a tablet passage, and reciprocal gates operably disposed in said device for halting each tablet momentarily opposite said port and said duct.

3. Apparatus for separating'fragmentary and sub-standard size tablets from a quantity of whole like items comprisingg'a tablet feed tube, a casing and ejection'vporttherein'connected to said tube,"an escapement device adjacent said casingrfor halting va tablet momentarily opposite said port, and a forced air ductV connectedV to said casing for directing a blast of air against a tablet halted opposite said por-t. Y 4. A method for separating fragmentary and sub-standard sizeftablets from a quantity of Whole like items in cluding the steps of; passing the tablets singly to a point opposite van ejection port, halting each tablet momentarily opposite the` port, directing a blast of forced air against the. halted tablet opposite ythe port, and permittingfthose tablets which were not rejected through the port to pass by the port and be collected.

. v- References Cited inthe le of this patent i UNITED STATES PATENTS L 862,923 Linsley Aug. 13, 1907 2,340,775 Snyder Feb. 1, 1944 2,356,100 Tangowski Aug. 15, 1944 ,410,037 Abbott Oct. 29, '1946 2,417,878 Lazietti et al Mar. 25, 1947 2,771,191 Kath Nov. 20,' 1956 

